Accountant Adventures: Happy Mother's Day

I spent today like any good boy should away from his mom(s). I drove from Nashville, TN to Jacksonville, FL a nine hour drive that was made longer by a time change and my aimless side road driving. I first got off the highway when I saw a sign for a Jack Daniels Distillery. I doubted that anyone would be there or even thinking about it at 9:30 am on Mother's Day. After driving for 15 minutes I saw another sign on the side road saying it was another 22 miles ahead, so I decided to turn around and not head to the distillery, maybe if it was Captain, but I'm not that into Jack.

Then every barn or billboard for nearly 200 miles was for Ruby Falls and Rock City. I decided to check it out and see if I could see anything for free. When I finally got to the exit for the attractions that exit was hardly marked. I guess they figured the 100 painted barns would have the exit number burned into everyone's mind, but I assumed there would be a sign covering the highway with neon lights indicating the exit, I almost missed it. I drove around to the area where the Ruby Falls was but it was a building that looked very boring and like I would have to pay, so I drove around and looked for a lookout point and found a little spot and some fancy houses with their own individual gates. The road took me through Georgia and Tennessee several times. Georgia, Tennessee, Georgia, Tennessee Georgia, Tennessee Georgia, Tennessee again and again.

I also stopped at a book store that boasted 20,000+ books all under $3. I don't know how anyone could pass that up, so I pulled over but since it was 7pm on a Sunday they were closed. I don't know why people would be anywhere else, but I guess I see things differently than most.

I also passed lots and lots of billboards for motels/hotels along the way and they all try to top the other to get peoples business by showing why they are better than the rest. Here are some examples of what they offer:

Internet, Wireless Internet, Free Wireless Internet, microfridge, manager reception, ice cream, fitness center, pool, sauna, hot tub, breakfast, free breakfast, free hot breakfast, homemade belgian waffles, free newspaper, clean and comfortable rooms, kids stay free, next to Applebees, HBO, 35" TV's and many more!

Tonight I'm staying at a Best Western that I booked on Hotwire for $29.99, it's regularly in the $60 range. Hotwire booked me in a Queen smoking room. When I checked in the lady asked me if I smoked and I told her "No", "Okay, I'll see if there is a non smoking room available for you...Nothing with a Queen...Here's a nonsmoking room with a King, will that work?" Excellent! The hotel is really nice, yes another hotel, I'm so spoiled. The hotel is newer and has free breakfast, a pool and a fitness center.

Playoff basketball today was on during the day while I was driving and I tried to find a station on the radio that had it, but I couldn't find one. Then I tried to get a station on my blackberry, but I couldnt' find one. I decided to find a walmart and "rent" (where I buy something, use it and then return it) a portable TV, becasue the game was on ABC and I should be able to get that station over the air. Apparently though they don't sell them anymore, I'm wondering if its becaue of the digital transition . I don't understand why there aren't radio stations of local television stations, many shows could still be watched, like sports, American Idol or any comedy that doesn't use an excessive amount of physical humor.

Being back this close to the trail and seeing the trees and the mountains makes me want to get back out there. I was actually thinking about what I had in my car and if I could hike with what I had, before I wised up and decided to keep driving. Now that I'm in Florida, I can smell the ocean and it makes me happy, epsecially at night, it is so calming.

Here is an article about the shuttle launch tomorrow:
"In what's expected to be the last time ever, both of NASA's shuttle launch pads are occupied. Atlantis is on one, primed for a flight this coming week to the Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour sits on the other a mile away for a mission no one wants." Contine reading